Refrigerating apparatus



L J. G. KING REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Oct. 15,1929.

Filed NOV. 2'7, 1925 gwwmoi &

I attorn t.

t ly shown.

Patented Oct. 15, 192 9 f UNITED STATES A JESSE a. zinc,

OF DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOB, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO FBIGID .AIBE CORPORATION, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE anrnxenaarme urea Ares Application m November. 1925. Serial m; 71,515,

This invention relates ,to cooling units for mechanical refrigerators. An object of'the present invention is to provide a cooling unit comprising aimain or-central upright section so constructed as to provide an effective heattransfer relationship between the refrigerating medium contained therein and the air'of the refrigerator orsuch other medium which is to be cooled, and heat transfer means 'extending laterally'fromsaid main section to provide suitable supports or compartments for the reception of ice trays or the like. 'In' the preferred embodiment of the present invention the main section referred to is so con-v structed or fashioned as to also provide a compartment or support for ice trays.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the ollowing description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein a preferred form of the present invention is clear- In the drawings: 7

Fig. 1 shows a cooling unit built according to this invention, installed in a conventional type of ice box havin a relatively shallow ice chamber in the top fixere'of.

Fig. 2 shows a front elevation of the cooling unit on a larger scale, but with the ice drawers removed from their compartments. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the cooling unit.

of Fig. 2.

Like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, designates a conventional type-of ice box or refrigerator cabinet having a lower food chamber 11 and I an upper ice chamber 12 extending across the top of the box. When ice is used in such a box, 1t rests upon an ice gridplaced upon the floor 13 of the chamber12. The warmer air from the food chamber 11' rises through the two side fiues 14, circulates around the ice and then passes downfthrough the'central opening 15 in the floor 13, thus maintaining a proper air circulation between the food and ice chambers. 16 is adrip duct for leading off the water from the'melting ice as well as the water of'condensation from chamber 12.

Now, this invention provides a cooling unit which may be placed within'the chamber 12 and connected by suitable supply and returnrefri e'rant ducts to the compressor unit who may be located in the basement or any other suitable place outside the box 10." ThlS coohn unitcomprises an elongated headeror tan 20, which serves as a reservoir for hquid refrigerant. Av suitable float valve mechanism is-provided within tank 20 to elow the liquid level therein. All the loops 25, 26 are'preferably' of substantially identical shapes, but alternate loops are reversed when they are connected to the header 20, thereby giving the structure clearly shown in Fig. 2. Each loop comprises a vertical leg or portion 30 extending downwardly from header 20, a laterally extending portion 30", anupwardly extending portion 31, and a laterally extending portion 31 inclined up wardly at its inner end and joined with the header 20. The part of the cooling unit immediately below the header 20, bounded by the verticallegs 30, and the intermediate portions'of the horizontal leg 30 constitutes the central or main vertical section thereof, and, as here shown, it may be hollowed out or fashioned so as to provide a compartment or enclosure 27 therein for the reception of one or more metallic sleeves 32.,to receive icefreezing pans or trays 33. The parts of the cooling unit extending laterally of the said main section form rearwardly extending compartments or enclosures 28 and 29 on opposite sides of the compartment 27. These parts, which are in the form of supports or loops support metallic sleeves, shown at 35, which are adapted to receive elongated icefreezing trays 36; from .which loops 25 and 26 are made are Preferably, the tubes where the loops areconnected to the header 20. "Such flattening provides a greater cooling surface per unit volume 'of liquid refrigerant contained in the loops, and also provides a greater space between the 'loops and, hence, reduces the tendenc of the frost which forms on the exterior o the loops to bridge acrossthe gap between theloops and ments or enclosures contains one or more housings or sleeves for the pans, made of metal of good thermal conductivity, which act as supports for the pans, coversto keep moisture from dripping into them during defrosting, and thermal conductors to trans-- fer heat to the loops. As shown in Fig 2,

two of such sleeves 32 are placed in the en closure ,27'and one sleeve 35 is placed in each of the enclosures 28 and29. The sleeves may,

be secured to the tubes in any'suitable manner, as by soldering, to forma thermally conducting joint. The ice ans 33 are placed in sleeves 32 in the inner reezing enclosure, while the pans 36 are placed in the sleeves 35 in the outer freezingenclosures. ,The lower and upper horizontal legs 30 and 31' of the laterally extendingoloops 31 lie parallel to the sleeves and as close thereto as the corners 3130f the tubes will permit. Each sleeve is provided with elevated supports 34" for the pans 33, 36. The compact arrangement of the sleeves 32 beneath the header,

between the sleeves35 and between the vertical tubes 30 of themain section of the-coolingv unit affords protection from air currents circulating over the cooling unit, while the sleeves 35 and laterally extending loops 31 are exposed to the currents. I

, In the operation of this cooling unit, since in the central enclosure 27 This is readily a parent, sincethe central section or en- 0 osure being nested between the side enclosures or zones, is protected thereby. The side enclosures, which overlap the central section shield the latter from circulating air passing over the cooling unit and suchair that 'comes in contact with thesection will he 'precooled when passing between legs'or portions 31 of the side enclosures or compartments. The central enclosure may then be used for freezing ice at a conveniently rapid rate when ice is wanted in a hurry, and the two side enclosures used for freezing ice slowl when there is no necessity for rapid freezing, or for storage of thelalready frozen ice trays. An important advantage of this to the circulating air that frost will form on their exterior surfaces at a much slower rate and, hence, there is a much more eflicient heat transfer. between the air and cooling loops; and this occurs while the central ice trays 33 are maintained at such a temperature that ice will be frozen therein at a conthereby'reduce the efiective'cooling surface of the unit. Preferably each ofthe compart veniently ra id rate. In the (intermittent operation o ture period .will ordinarily disappear during the maximum temperature period and, thus, maintain these portions 31 free from excessive cakin up with frost.

While t e form of embodiment of the invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.-

-What is claimed is as follows:

1. A cooling unit for mechanical refrigera-- tors comprising, in comb1nat1on,.an elongated header serving as a reservoir for li uid. refrigerant, a series of duct loops depen ing from said header. and connected thereto/in parallel relation along the length of said I 100' header, said loops being arranged to provide three laterally-spaced freezing compartments adapted to receive ice trays, all of said loops surrounding the center freezin compartment and alternate loops surroun ing'each of the two side freezing compartments,whereby' said center freezing compartment will freeze 'ice quicker than .the two side compartments.

2. A cooling unit for mechanical refrigerators comprising, in combination, an elongated. l

header serving as areservoir for liquid re- .75. the "compressor unit' which J draws ofi thevaporized refrigerant from the cooling-unit through duct 22, the tempera frigerant, a series of duct loops depending '7 from said header and connected thereto in parallel relation along the length of said x 4 eader, said loops being arranged-t0 form three laterally-spaced freezin compartments adapted to, receive ice' trays, t e center freez ing compartment containingtwo ice trays while the side compartments each contain a single ice tray, all of saidloops surrounding the center compartment while alternate loops surround each side compartment.

3. A cooling unit for mechanical refrigerators comprising, in combination, a header compartment will freeze ice quicker than the side compartments.

4. A cooling umtgfer mechanical refrigerators comprnsng, m combination, aheader serving as 'a reservoir for liquid refrigerant, a series of duct loops'connected w th said header to form a plurality of compartments.

servlng as a reservoir 'for liquid refri erant',

' a series of duct loops connected wit said header, the loops projecting laterally on opposite sides of said header and forming icemaking compartments disposed laterally withv respect to one another, said loops including portions disposed parallel and adjacent on of said compartments, a 6. A cooling unit for mechanical refrigerators comprising, in combination, a header serving as a reservoir for liquid refrigerant, a series. of duct loops connectedwith said header, the loops posite sides of said header and arranged to form ice-making compartments disposed laterally with respect-to one another, said loops including horizontal portions disposed above and adjacent one of said compartments.

7. A cooling unit'for mechanical refrigerators comprising in combination a header adapted to contain a refrigerant, a pluralit ofref-rigerantducts extending from the hea ger'to form freezing compartments for icemaking receptacles, a plurality of supports for'ice-making receptacles within the compartments, portions of said ducts extending between and in intimate metallic relation with said supports.

8. A cooling unit for mechanical refrigerators comprising in combination a header adapted to contain refrigerant, a plurality of refrigerant ducts connected with the header anddisposed in a vertical plane and form.-

ing freezing compartments for ice-making receptacles, and a plurality of supports for ice-making receptacles disposed side by side within the compartments, portions of the ducts being disposed in a vertical plane between said supports.

9. A cooling unit for a mechanical "refrigerator comprising, in combination a reservoir adapted to contain refrigerant, a

- central heat transfer section extending downwardly from said reservoir, said central section including refrigerant duct means connected with said reservoir and extending rearwardly a substantial distance, and refrigerant duct means extending rearwardlya substantial distance and also extending laterally' from said central sectionto provide a support on eitherside of said central section for receiving elongated ice trays.

formechanical refrigera-v projecting laterally on op-.

' 10. A cooling unit for a mechanical refrigerator comprising in combination a reser- 'voir adapted to contain refrigerant, a central heat transfer section extending downwardl from said header said central section includ in refrigerant d saldfreservoir and extending rearwardl a substantialv distance, and refrigerant uct means extending rearwardly a substantial distance and also in intimate :metallic contact withf'said section and extendi laterally therefrom to provide a support. or an elongated ice tray.

header, said heat exchange means-including a portion for providing-amain freezlng sec-" tion below the header..'and arranged to receive an ice-making receptacle, and including another portion providing "a fre'e'zing zone arranged to receive an ice-making receptacle and disposed laterally to the main section and in intimate thermal relation to the circulating medium cooled thereby while shielding the main freezing section from such circulatingmediunn.

13. A cooling unit for mechanical refrigerators comprising in combination, a header and heat exc an e means associated with the header, said eat exchange means including a portion for providing a main freezing secuct means connected with-- tion below the header and arranged to receive an ice-making receptacle, and includingmeans for circulating a refrigerating medium,

said means including a portion providing three lateralclly disposed freezing. com artments each a apted to receive an ice-ma 'ng receptacle, the outside compartmentsbeing in intimate thermal relation with the circulating medium cooled thereby while, shielding the central'compartment from such circulat'-' ing medium.

:15. A cooling unit'for mechanical refrig-- erators, comprising in combination, a series of duct loops arran ed to provide three laterally disposed freezlng compartments adapt-.

ed to receive ice-making receptacles, said loops being of non-symmetrical contour. and

.. 1 cool i' gfunit for a arranged in staggered relation with the loops offset aterally with respect to one another,

certain portions of the loops providing the making compartments disposed laterally with res ect to one another.

mechanical refrig eratorcoinprisin'g, in combination, a header serving as a'reservoir-for refrigerant, a plurality of ducts connected with the header,

2.0 altern'ateductsbeingflreversely turned and cooperating to" form lice-making compartments disposed laterally with respect toone anotherrpw said ductshaving non syinmetrical shapes and 18. A cooling unit for a mechanical refrigerator comprising, in combination, a header serving as a reservoir for refrigerant, a pl uralityof ductsconne'cted with the reservoir,

said 'tluctsbeiiigiTarranged-in a pluralit of sets, onegset o said ducts-overlying and avl ing a portib' ibxtending beyond another set,

said extendin -portioncooperatin with the second set of ucts to form-a plura 'ty' of ice- 19; A ijinit for a mechanical refrig- -"'era'tor compris ng, in combination, a header sets,one set of said ducts overlying another set and cooperatingtherewith to form a pluf servingas a reservoir for refrigerant, a plu-' rality ofducts connected with the reservoir, said ducts 'beingarranged ina lurality of rality of ice+tnakingcompattments disposed compartments extending. laterally beyond said ice-making compartments extending laterally beyond saidfsecond" set of ducts. z

1 20. A cooling unit for a mechanical refrigmor comprising, in combination, a header for\ refrigerant, a plurality of ducts connected'with the header, said ducts being arranged in sets, certain of said sets projecting laterally to one side of the header and said sets cooperating to form a plurality of ice-making compartments disposed laterally with respect to one another, one of said ice-making said second set of ducts.

' 21. A cooling unit fora mechanical refrig- -erator comprising supports elongated rearwardly for receiving elongated ice trays main upright section and supported from one 3 A side thereof and said mainnpright section extending rearwardly to substantially the depth of said-elon ated sup ort and bein connected theretoa ongside t ereof.

23. A cooling unit for mechanical refrigerators comprising a refrigerant reservoir,re frigerant conduit means connected with said reservoir, a portion of said means extending more remote from the header than certain other portions, saidportion cooperating to I provide a plurality of horizontally elongated compartments for'ice trays, said com artments lying adjacentand alongside o "one I I 9o another.- I

y 24. A cooling unit for mechanical refrigerators comprising a reservoir forrefrigerant,

heat exchange means thermally connected withthe. reservoir and including a. portion providing a central ice-making compartment and having other portions extending beyond the first portion for providing other ice m'ak- I ing compartments alongside of said central making compartments, one of said ice-making compartmentsf-ibeing within said' extended stantia lly midway between the insulated side walls of said cabinet, and heat transfer means I 'carriecl by said main upright heat transfer laterally with respectto one-another, one ofsection and extending laterally from one side thereof towards one of the side walls of said I cabinet to provide a support for mice tray.

26. Refrigerating apparatus comprising, in.

combination, a refrigerator cabinet having insulated side walls, means providing access .to said cabinet from the front, a cooling unit within said cabinet, said cooling unit comprising a main upright heat transfer section extending from front to rear anddispose d substantially midway between the insulated side walls of said cabinet, and means extend-L ing from opposite sides ofsaid main upri ht section towards the sidewalls of said ca inet to rovide a freezing compartment on either side suitable for the reception of" an ice tray therein.

27. A cooling unit for mechanical refrigerators comprising three' laterally-spaced supports for ice-making receptacles, a refrigerant reservoir, heat exchange means includnature.

JESSE G. KING.

CERTIFIG ATE p OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,732,090. Granted October 15, 1929, to

JESSE 0. KING.

certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 3, line 4, claim 4, for the misspelled word "compriising" read "comprising"; page 4, line 86, claim 23., for the word "portion" read "portions"; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 26th day of November, A. D. 1929.

It is hereby M. J. Moore,

(Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

